Gifts worth giving this Christmas

CHRISTMAS | GIFTS

Thinking of what to give loved ones this Christmas? Well, you can consider décor gifts so that you fill their homes with warmth by looking at a gift from you.

With décor gifts, you can't go wrong because you can have everyone smiling after unwrapping one gift because it will be useful to all.

This article offers ideas of the different décor gifts you can consider this festive season.

Plants
Leonard Muzahura of Superior Landscapes, Nsambya, suggests that plants are a good present to give because they last longer than edibles such as sweets and chocolate.

However, not just any plant will do because as a gift it must be appealing. "I would advise succulents [as a gift] because they are beautiful and easy to maintain. They are cute and can be put anywhere like the dining, bedroom or even bathroom," he says.

Away from succulents, Muzahura also suggests orchids as a worthwhile gift for Christmas.

Echoing Muzahura is Rita Gashishiri of Monosource Landscapes along Sir Apollo Kaggwa in Makerere. She says indoor plants make a living space more comfortable, breathable and luxurious, which makes them a perfect gift.

"Oxygen bomb plants such as aloe vera and peace lily are excellent indoor plants one can gift to a loved one," she says.

To add glamour and personality to the gift, Gashishiri says the vessel or pot can be customised branded with words.

Art
Art has always been a safe and thoughtful gift to consider this festive season. Word from Andrew Ainamani of Andy Home of Arts in Wandegeya reveals that art is such a special gift that makes people grow attached to it over time.

"It can be a painting of say landscapes, portraits or even ceramic vases," he says.

With art, one can hardly go wrong because there are many spaces in the home to hang it. And if a home has an atrium, then you can also consider a mural as a gift. You can pay an artist to paint it in the home.

Runners
Hilary Kyomuhendo, an interior designer with Elite Stones and Designs in Kampala, says getting runners as a gift is a simple and considerate gift because a home can have more than one or two runners.

Since runners are in vogue, there are high chances that the recipients of the gift will appreciate them wholly. Kyomuhendo suggests that you have to get runners in good colours or with good patterns so that they make a suitable gift.

Vases
Vases are another gift that you can give this festive season. The good thing about vases is that they can stand alone or hold flowers.

Kyomuhendo says they come in different materials, sizes, shapes and colours, which mean there is a variety to pick from that would suit different people's tastes.

You can choose to buy a ceramic, brass, clay, glass or even crystal vase; there is a lot to pick from.

Cutlery
If you know the person or people in a home very well, then you can give them cutlery for a gift. Kyomuhendo suggests that you have to be sure to get good quality crockery so that it is a welcome addition to what that home already has.

With crockery, you really can't go wrong because they are basic sets of forks, knives and spoons. You therefore don't need to over think it, just buy good silverware.

Clock 
Although nearly every device can tell time these days—from the watch, phone and laptop—a clock is still a worthwhile gift.

There are many different shapes and styles of clocks that can work as a gift. Alternatively, Kyomuhendo says you can make your own clock and give it away as a gift.  All you have to do is get the battery mechanism that will power the clock and then customise the face of the clock by using a plate or even that person's (or people's) photos on a wall as the numbers on the clock.

Books
If all else fails, then revert to the simple things that give us a lot of pleasure, of which books are a part. A good book for a present is really insightful because the person you are giving will enjoy reading it long after Christmas as people often reread the books in their collection.

Just make sure to get an appropriate book, depending on the person's taste. So don't buy a horror novel for a person who hates horrors or a romantic one for someone who likes adventure or detective novels. Find out what the person's interests and buy a book he or she will treasure.

Figurines and other small gifts
The saying less is more is true in some circumstances and when it comes to gifts, sometimes small gifts beat the big one hands down.

Small gifts have the power of love and sentiments wrapped up in them. So you may think about giving figurines of angels, Baby Jesus or any animal this Christmas as your special small gift.

In addition to figurines, you can get snow balls as your small Christmas gift to someone, who can give it pride of place on his or her dresser in the bedroom, in the living room or study because they look nice on a mantle, window sill or desk.

Lastly, the small precious magnets that are usually hung on fridges are a lovely petite gift to give someone this Christmas. They can be made of an animal, angel or with sweet words for the home to reflect on every day.